MEAC Media Relations

UMES Ranked First In National Bowling Poll

For the first time in the history of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), one of its athletic teams is ranked no. 1 in the nation.  The 2008 NCAA National Champion Women’s Bowling Team enters the 2009 campaign as the pre-season favorite according to the poll released today from the National Tenpins Coaches Association (NTCA).

 

The Women’s Bowling Team held the previous best mark for a team ranking when they were second last season.  This year the team returns NTCA National Rookie of the Year and a First-Team All-American in Kristina Frahm (Oswego, Ill.) and Second-Team All-America Maria Rodriguez (Ibague Tolima, Colombia). 

 

“We are thrilled to welcome back all of our returnees,” said Head Coach Sharon Brummell.  “They are the key to our success this year.  Not only do we return two National performers but we return three seniors whose experience and leadership will be invaluable.”

 

The Hawks will count on that veteran squad to fill voids left by two other All-Americans.  Laura Zanrucha and Jessica Worsley, the 2008 NCAA Most Outstanding Performer, both of whom graduated last May.  

 

UMES received 10 out of a possible 20 first place votes, a total of 590 points, in the first of five polls conducted throughout the year by the NTCA. 

 

“I am absolutely thrilled at this ranking,” said Brummell.  “To be no. 1 in the nation is amazing and humbling.  I am appreciative to all the coaches who voted and excited for the challenge of keeping my team ranked there this season.”

 

The Lady Hawks edged Vanderbilt, the 2007 NCAA Champions, by nine points in the current poll.  The Commodores return all starters from last year’s squad, one that the Hawks eliminated from the 2008 tournament.  Vanderbilt and UMES have become rivals of sorts.  They topped UMES for the title in 2007 but in last year’s championships the Hawks sent Vanderbilt to the loser’s bracket and then later eliminated them from the tournament 4-3, after trailing 3-0.  The Commodores tallied five first votes and 581 points.

 

Both teams will kick-off their 2008-09 seasons on October 31 when they travel to the FDU Fright Knight Invite in Elmwood Park, N.J.

 

The nation’s third ranked team is the University of Nebraska ?Lincoln, the 2004 and 2005 NCAA Champion.  They received four first place votes for a total of 532 points.

 

The University of Central Missouri and Arkansas State University, the 2008 NCAA Runner-Up, round out the top five.  MEAC rival Delaware State, behind the leadership of pro-bowling sensation Kim Terrell is ranked ninth in the polls.

 

2008-09 NTCA OCTOBER NATIONAL POLL

 

                                                                                                                     Season Record           1st Place             Total          Previously

Rank     Institution, City, State                                                                             

1.      Univ. of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD (10)     590            
2.      Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN                            (5)               581              

3.      University of Nebraska ? Lincoln, NE                          (4)              532              

4.      University of Central Missouri. Warrensburg, MO        (1)              481             

5.      Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR                                     424            

6.      Sacred Heart University, Fairfield, CT                                           401              

7.      Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ                                  386               

8.      New Jersey City University, Jersey City, NJ                                 340               

9.      Delaware State University, Dover, DE                                    322               

10.      Minnesota State University ? Mankato, MN                               299              

 11.      Alabama A&M University, Huntsville, AL                                215               

 12.      Southern University, Baton Rouge, LA                                     193             

 13.      Adelphi University, Garden City, NY                                       154            

 14.      Jackson State University, Jackson, MS                                    111               

 15.      University of Wisconsin ? Whitewater, WI                              101              

 16.      Kutztown University, Kutztown, PA                                         83             

 17.      St. Peter’s College, Jersey City, NJ                                          79               

 18.      Fayetteville State University, Fayetteville, NC                           60              

 19.      St. Francis College, Brooklyn Heights, NY                               41               

 20.      Elmhurst College, Elmhurst, IL                                                34             

Also receiving votes:

Texas Southern, Houston, TX; Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD; St. Paul’s College, Lawrenceville, VA; Bowie State University, Bowie, MD; Bethune-Cookman University, Daytona Beach, FL; Norfolk State University, Norfolk, VA; Hampton University, Hampton, VA; Louisiana Tech, Ruston, LA; Grand Canyon College, Phoenix, AZ; North Carolina A&T State University, Greensboro, NC; Elizabeth City State University, Elizabeth City, NC; Long Island University, Brooklyn, NY.